From this morning's RAMP Newsletter...
Singer-songwriter Lesley Gore, best known for her timeless 1963 song of teenage angst, "It's My Party," died Monday, Feb. 16 of cancer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in Manhattan. She was 68. The Associated Press says the news of Gore's death was confirmed by her partner of 33 years, Lois Sasson, who commented, "She was a wonderful human being -- caring, giving, a great feminist, great woman, great human being, great humanitarian." Born in Brooklyn and raised in New Jersey, Gore was discovered as a teenager by Quincy Jones and signed to Mercury Records. Her other hits included "Judy's Turn to Cry," "You Don't Own Me," "She's A Fool," "That's The Way Boys Are" and "Maybe I Know." She also co-wrote (with her brother Michael) the Academy Award-nominated "Out Here On My Own" from the 1980 movie Fame and she co-wrote "My Secret Love" for Allison Anders' 1996 film Grace of My Heart. Gore also dabbled in acting, playing Catwoman's sidekick in the cult 1960s TV series Batman. She also appeared on Broadway in Smokey Joe's Cafe. Gore had been working on a stage version of her life when she died. In addition to Sasson, Gore is survived by her brother and mother, Ronnie.
Loved her in Batman...
Landecker mentioned her in his book "Records Truly Is My Middle Name". Leslie was an important part of his teenage years because of her songs "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn To Cry". Those songs were about a teen couple named Johnny and Judy, and John's girlfriend (and later wife) was named Judy.
